Yesterday Grammycakes turned six months old. That seems SO LONG, but it's also almost hard to remember the time before he was part of our family. I felt like we had just Dane in our family for such a long time, but now that feels like it was so long ago, like it hardly even happened. Life has been so sweet with this cute boy in our family.
I had some serious fears about adding another kid to our lives six months ago, about transitioning to two. And mostly they were unfounded. The first few months are seriously difficult under any circumstances, so there's not too much to do about that. But for the last two months, things have for the most part been UNDER CONTROL. And that feels amazing. We are getting out and doing things, Graham doesn't scream the whole time we're in the car any more (usually), we've got a schedule so I know when things need to happen. Things are good. Babies can be so FRUSTRATING--like when you're trying to sleep train--but oh man they are so so so much joy too.
We got back from our month-long summer trip almost exactly two months ago. At that point, Graham still was waking up 3-4 times a night to eat (torture!), was still swaddled, was still sleeping in his swing, was still needing to be rocked completely to sleep every nap and bedtime. He was still solely nursing. And now, two months later, it's amazing how much progress we've made. We're almost at baby sleep nirvana--if only we could get him to stay asleep all night! He isn't swaddled any more, he lets us put him down and goes to sleep on his own (sometimes it takes 2-3 tries), he's generally sleeping much better at night. (Except last night, when he was up for two hours off and on. We realized this morning that he has another tooth poking up so it probably was a lot having to do with that, poor baby!) He naps at the same times every day and he takes GOOD naps (1-2 hours) almost all the time! He's now just taking a bottle (as of yesterday!), and starting to eat solid foods. It's amazing what two months can do for a baby.
Graham is much more opinionated than I remember Dane being at this age. He fussed so much more while nursing and was so impatient and refused to eat for long enough to get all the milk that was in there (one reason why that is in the past now). He gets much more offended about things not being just how he wants them. He has a lot more willpower to cry for longer periods and force himself awake if he doesn't want to sleep. Makes me worried for what he's going to be like as he gets older. But he's a much better napper and he's JUST as cute and sweet and lovable. He is totally in the lunging-at-your-face stage where it's like he can't contain his love for us and has to try to eat us.
His favorite person in the world is DANE. He likes me and Tommy a lot, of course, but Dane holds his attention, makes him laugh, makes him stop crying when he's sad. He is happy as long as he can just sit and watch Dane play--and when Dane's not there, like when he's napping or they're in their separate rooms in the Fun Club, Graham gets bored FAST. He just looks at his big brother with this look of total adoration on his face, and Dane is so good with him. From day 1, he's been constantly the sweetest big brother, and is always happy to run and help him if I'm busy. It's sweet to see them bonding together.
A few other random recent pictures of this cute boy:
Graham is in charge and he totally knows it.
Look at those two teeth! He's getting too big!
He is obsessed with water bottles, just like his big brother was at this age. I love it. He sees Tommy's or my water bottles and starts groaning and panting with excitement until he gets his mouth on them.
Getting so big! He loves bananas and applesauce, hates carrots and sweet potatoes. So far... just you wait, little Graham--I can wait you out!
He looks so chubby and cute here at his six-month doctor's appointment. I love it.
So cute and tired after his shots at the doctor's this morning! He has NEVER done this--fallen asleep on his playmat AND on his tummy. Two things he normally refuses to do.
